Fuel station stocking fillers – eleventh hour gift ideas

Last minute presents?

Published:07:00Friday 25 December 2015

With one in ten Brits reportedly leaving their Christmas shopping until the big day itself, it’s not surprising that the most unlikely places for filling up on festive stocking treats can suddenly transform themselves into a haven of holiday help.

Perhaps synonymous with a hundred thousand angry housewives clutching a bunch of bad floral arrangements to their heart, the fuel station may be the last resort for a blues CD and a Scotch egg on Christmas Day, but it is still one of the few retail outlets open in the 24 hour festive shutdown where goods can go straight from checkout to under-the-tree in a matter of moments.

So fear not, Sussex festive flounderers - here are some last minute gift ideas from breathalyser suppliers AlcoDigital to grab and go from a fuel station near you:

Road maps - Fancy going somewhere exotic? OK, granted the M1 isn’t exactly the stuff dreams are made of, but wrap up a road atlas with a ‘surprise’ note inside suggesting they choose their favourite place for a weekend away and hey presto - instant brownie points.

Make a hamper – be it car shampoo and a chamois leather or champagne and chocolates, there’s a plethora of hamper-making possibilities on offer at filling stations. Choose a selection of their favourite magazines or sweets and chocolates for the perfect seasonal gift.

Scratch cards – who doesn’t want to be a millionaire? Buy five scratch cards and pop them in a greetings card. If they win hopefully they’ll let you share some of the money!

Create a hangover kit – once all the festivities are over and it’s the morning after the night before, friends and family are bound to be feeling fuzzy-headed. Aside from a bottle of water and some extra strong painkillers, they can also check they are safe to drive with a pocket alcohol breathalyser.

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